Couples and seniors look to plan their ideal vacation with a checklist of must-haves that undoubtedly include tranquility, laid-back adventure and uninterrupted sunshine. Visiting the Florida Keys in mid-April through mid-June is therefore an ideal time for escaping family spring break and summer crowds while still enjoying the subtropical heat surrounding the islands. During this time frame, children are back in school and couples descend on the island for some much needed romantic relaxation… plus additional savings during our off peak value dates!

With many attractions and activities to enjoy in Marathon during mid-April through mid-June, your vacation can be as lively or laid-back as you’d like it to be. In other words… do everything or nothing at all! In May, you can make sure mom is pampered on Mother’s Day (May 10th), or celebrate our heroes with a long weekend for Memorial Day (May 25th). But if you seek the ultimate in peace and tranquility, try our off peak periods for additional quiet time (and savings). Here are six other reasons that you surely won’t want to miss a little slice of tranquility, April through June.

Six ways to make the most of your romantic Marathon escape, mid-April through mid-June:

1) Choose one of our intimate guestrooms at Tranquility Bay overlooking the towering palms of our tropical gardens, or indulge in a private two-bedroom beachfront beach house and wake up to views of the Gulf of Mexico from your balcony and porch. Either way, a romantic escape with comfort and serenity await.

2) One of the most romantic excursions in Marathon is right on your doorstep at Tranquility Bay Resort! A setting sun and a balmy evening stroll through the resort’s tropical gardens will build your appetite for a romantic dinner for two at Butterfly Café, rated by TripAdvisor as Marathon’s number one restaurant. With Keys-style dining at its best, you can cuddle up together and savor the flavors of coconut shrimp, tropical salads, and Caribbean chicken on a breezy patio. Our Key Lime Pie is particularly good for sharing with your sweetheart!

3) While hand-feeding sharks may not sound very romantic, an amazing bonding experience awaits at Aquarium Encounters Florida Keys. Try the Coral Reef Excursion and you can not only hand-feed sharks and other predatory fish through a protective plexiglass barrier, but the memory (and photos) will last a lifetime!

4) Fall in love with our private beach which stretches across 2.5 acres of powder-soft sand to sink your feet into. TJ’s Tiki Bar will serve up your favorite ice-cold cocktails to keep you refreshed throughout the day. A setting sun is one of the most spectacular symbols of a romantic evening, so make sure to enjoy Florida’s finest natural beauty from our private beach.

5) Swim with dolphins and learn about these incredible creatures at Marathon’s Dolphin Research Center, or get up-close to sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital which is the world’s only licensed hospital that specializes in sea turtles. It even has its own turtle ambulance.

6) Finally, explore the beautiful underwater coral as you submerge a little deeper into the warm ocean during a dive or snorkel trip. Marathon is surrounded by some of the world’s best waters for diving with mysterious shipwrecks and stunning marine life to discover, just a few minutes away from our resort.

If you’re looking for savings on your vacation in mid-April through mid-June, our latest special offers will help guide you to the best deals so you can simply focus on making the most of each day in your own piece of paradise. To book your vacation now, visit our reservations page or call 855-606-4502 to discover which dates you can save more.

The Florida Keys offer an array of family activity during the spring break period so it’s no wonder why guests flock to Tranquility Bay Resort in March and April. Marathon, Florida is not a “party town,” but a quiet seaside escape, so families can rest easy knowing that Tranquility Bay is an excellent spring break destination for families in March and April, 2015.

As one of the best family resorts in the Florida Keys, we offer spacious beach houses that are ideal for families! The beach houses include a full kitchen, living room, laundry facilities and the option of two or three bedrooms.

If that’s not enough, kids love bouncing from our lagoon style tropical swimming pool and our white sand beach, located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Families on a budget can enjoy our double queen guestrooms which are more intimate than our larger beach houses, but still offer much more space than a standard hotel room.

You won’t have to go far for meals with casual dining at TJ’s Tiki Bar or try our award winning restaurant, Butterfly Cafe which has a fantastic kid’s menu. If you’re up to it, you can even cook a family feast in your own gourmet kitchen at Tranquility Bay when purchasing a two or three-bedroom beach house. For your convenience a Publix grocery store is nearby to stock up on all of your family needs. We do not offer breakfast at the resort but across the street you will find a local-favorite called Juice Paradise which offers authentic Cuban breakfast and a large hot breakfast menu to choose from.

Families and children especially love watching a gorgeous Florida Keys sunset, teeing up on our putting green, or enjoying an array of watersports, including: diving and snorkeling adventures, kayaking, paddle boarding, wave runners, Hobi Cat and small boat rentals and guided eco-tours. Call 866-842-2512 to speak with an on-site vacation planner about spring break family vacations in 2015.

Florida Keys Spring Break Offers at Tranquility Bay

View our Spacious Two and Three-Bedroom Beach Houses

These charming Florida Keys accommodations feature two-level living, ideal for up to four people. The beautifully proportioned first floor features a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, separate dining area for four, half bath and living room with 42-inch wall mounted plasma TV, and wireless internet.

If you’re willing to forego the kitchen and living room for a single-level guestroom, try our new Tropical Garden Guestrooms. A double queen guestroom can accommodate four guests, similar to hotel room accommodations.

Featuring glorious weather year round and endless activities such as Florida Keys fishing, Marathon is an exciting destination for family vacations. With its exceptional setting, comprehensive facilities and knowledgeable staff, Tranquility Bay is the ideal choice for those who wish to experience all the Florida Keys have to offer, especially for those looking to the explore the awaiting adventures in our surrounding Florida Gulf waters.

Pigeon Key: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Pigeon Key served as a construction and maintenance camp for the Overseas Railroad during the early 1900s. The remarkable structures that remain provide a window back in time.

Dolphin Research Center: Fun for the entire family, the Dolphin Research Center offers nature lovers, in-water encounters with marine mammals, as well as fascinating insight into their behavior.

Turtle Hospital: Located next door to the resort, the Turtle Hospital is dedicated to the health and preservation of sea turtles. The Hospital offers guided, educational tours and a behind-the-scenes look at the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles, something everyone in the family will appreciate on your Marathon FL vacation.

Seven Mile Bridge: The longest bridge in the Keys is located at the southern end of Marathon and measures 35,716 ft. Take a family walk across the bridge and enjoy a majestic Florida Keys sunset.

Sombrero Reef: Mile Marker 50, Oceanside. One of the most beautiful areas within the Keys’ living coral reef, Sombrero Reef is protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuaries and is popular with eco-tourists who enjoy snorkeling and diving.

Sombrero Beach: This 12.6-acre beach is one of the most popular vacation spots in Marathon. Renovated in 2003, the beach offers creative landscaping, walkways, picnic areas and a roped off swimming area.

Coco Plum Beach: This small, natural beach is an enjoyable stop. It is a quiet, dog-friendly beach with clean-up baggies provided.

Wildlife adventures, spectacular sunsets, delectable dining, pristine beaches: these are just some of the reasons why Marathon, Florida is one of the most popular hot spots for an unforgettable family vacation. To help you make the most of your precious time away together, we’ve highlighted ten of the top reasons why families love Tranquility Bay Resort:

1) Spacious Family Beach Houses
At Tranquility Bay Resort, you will never fall short on space in one of our two or three-bedroom beach houses. Designed with spaciousness and luxury in mind, each beach house boasts its own private porch and overlooks the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Offering a relaxing “home away from home” atmosphere, everything your family needs is under one roof, including laundry facilities, a fully-equipped kitchen and a super comfortable living room complete with a 42-inch plasma TV.

2) Three Sparkling Pools
Much of your family time in Marathon will center itself around water, whether in it, on it or lounging around it. As you stroll through the lush, landscaped gardens surrounding your beach house, you’ll soon discover one of three sparking pools, each beckoning you to take a dip and cool down. The largest of the three is a beautiful lagoon-style pool for all ages. There is also an adults-only pool and a more intimate pool near our Tropical Garden Guestroom area. Your little ones will be endlessly entertained splashing around and practicing their swimming style under the tropical skies of the Florida Keys.

3) Private White Sand Beach
Within steps of your beach house, you’ll soon feel your toes sink into powder soft white sand on our private beach. Clean, peaceful, and safe, our Tranquility Bay Resort beach is the perfect haven for the whole family to unwind, have fun and dip in and out of the crystal clear ocean. Although the water entry access to our beach is small, you can still enjoy 2.5 acres of white sand beach overlooking the water. To help keep the beach in pristine condition, we have recently installed a seagrass fence which ensures seagrasses are kept in the ocean to continue their vital job of protecting the ecosystem, rather than mounting up on the beach.

4) A Sunset to Remember
No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without an evening watching the sun go down, and at Tranquility Bay your family can celebrate spectacular sunsets together from our private beach by TJ’s Tiki Bar. Try a tropical drink with plenty of frozen options for the kids. It’s a perfect spot to watch the tropical orange glow sparkle on the ocean before disappearing on the horizon, ready to rise again the next morning. Sunsets in the Florida Keys are renowned worldwide and will become part of your family’s special vacation memories.

5) Exciting Onsite Watersports
With a huge variety of water-based activities available in Marathon, there is every opportunity to make a splash and immerse the whole family into a fun, action-packed day. Onsite watersports can be arranged through our adventure concierge, from kayaking, Florida Keys fishing charters and leisurely cruises, to WaveRunner rentals and parasailing. The warm waters surrounding Marathon are teeming with tropical fish and beautiful coral waiting to be explored, making it a colorful paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers.

6) Dining for the Family
Families will love dining together in our award-winning Butterfly Cafe which features a children’s menu and a delicious range of local delicacies. The restaurant opens at 6:00 p.m. to suit little ones needing an early bedtime. The light, airy space of Butterfly Cafe provides the perfect atmosphere for family dining, or you can dine outdoors on our breezy patio. For light bites and lunch, try TJ’s Tiki Bar right by the beach which is a family favorite for lunch, refreshing drinks, smoothies and afternoon snacks. The kids will especially love our virgin Key Lime Daiquiri or Cookies n’ Cream Smoothie.

7) Putting Green
There is nothing quite like the peace and quiet of putting in the warm open air under the bluest of skies. At Tranquility Bay Resort, you can prepare for the golf course on our immaculate putting green designed by Nicklaus Design, and enjoy the indulgence of “me time” as you put against the stunning backdrop of palm trees and a sparkling ocean.

8) Standalone Cottages
Our family-friendly beach houses are ideal for creating the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity so the whole family can spend time together in a home-like environment. Each cottage is set within its own beach house unit so there are no communal hallways shared by other guests which suits many families on vacation, particularly those with younger children who won’t be disturbed by any noise after their early bedtime.

9) Nearby Family Attractions
Many families find the tranquil setting of the resort, with its private beach and swimming pools, difficult to leave. However, Marathon is home to a range of attractions to add even more fun to your family vacation, including the Dolphin Research Center which runs a variety of programs including the Dolphin Dip, a perfect way to plunge into unforgettable fun. Families can also meet sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital, discover shells, fish tanks and pirate costumes at Crane Point Hammock, and make friends with herons, owls, pelicans and egrets at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.

Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

10) Budget rooms for families
Our new luxury single-level double queen-bed Tropical Garden Guestrooms offer seclusion and calm among a lush tropical landscape. Perfect for families looking for a budget-friendly stay, each guestroom is designed in conch style architecture, with understated luxury and graceful touches to add to the sense of serenity and relaxation.

Call 855-266-2703 to book your family vacation at Tranquility Bay Resort.

It may be the shortest month of the year, but February welcomes one of the best long weekends in the American calendar and basks in average highs of 75 degrees.

With Valentine’s Day at the heart of the month, swiftly followed by President’s Day which marks the birthday of America’s first president George Washington on the 16th, a trip to the Florida Keys in February not only guarantees a welcome burst of winter sunshine, but a perfect reason to treat your loved one to a romantic retreat in subtropical paradise.

Lazy days in luxury

Tranquility Bay Resort is the ideal hideaway to whisk yourselves away for a mini break over the long weekend and warm up from the winter winds. With three sparkling swimming pools, including an adults-only pool, and a private 2.5 acre white-sand beach, Valentine’s Day can be spent soaking up the sunshine, relaxing in serenity and enjoying a variety of water based activities.

To add to your sense of romance and luxury, you can choose to stay in an intimate guestroom surrounded by towering palms and lush gardens. Or if it’s an ocean view you’re after, there are spacious beach houses offering a home away from home experience, with fully-equipped kitchens.

Romantic dining

A setting sun, balmy evening and stroll through the resort’s tropical gardens will build your appetite for a romantic dinner for two at Butterfly Café, rated by TripAdvisor as Marathon’s number one restaurant. With Keys-style dining at its best, you can cuddle up together and savor the flavors of coconut shrimp, tropical salads, and Caribbean chicken on the breezy patio. Our Key Lime Pie is particularly good for sharing with your sweetheart!

Fun-loving couples

For the young at heart, couples looking for fun-filled romance can take their pick from a whole host of activities and attractions in Marathon, including a swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, visiting rescued sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital, paddle boarding around the crystal-clear ocean, or dipping deeper into the blue with a scuba dive in the magical underwater world of tropical fish and brightly colored coral.

Sunsets in style

A setting sun is one of the most spectacular symbols of a romantic evening, and many guests choose to enjoy Florida’s finest natural beauty from our private beach at TJ’s Tiki Bar or the Seven Mile Bridge.

You can find more ways to spend the most romantic break in Marathon here.

Arriving at Tranquility Bay Hotel and Resort is a welcome invitation into paradise. Located right in the heart of the Florida Keys in Marathon, Tranquility Bay offers peace, serenity and seclusion alongside adventure, luxury and delectable dining. From the calm, tropical gardens to the refreshing, sparkling swimming pools, everything has been created with relaxation and comfort in mind to ensure your vacation memories last a lifetime.

A luxury room with a view

Tranquility Bay has accommodation options to suit every combination of bookings, whether you’re travelling on your own, with a loved one or as part of a wider group of family and friends. There are Tropical Garden Guestrooms set among a lush secluded oasis, offering spectacular views and quick access to the hotel’s private 2.5 acre white sand beach – the perfect romantic hideaway.

When extra space is needed, the luxury of staying in a two or three-bedroom beach house is simply irresistible. With stunning views across the Gulf of Mexico from your own private porch, you can soak up every sense of paradise from the balmy Florida breeze to the world-renowned golden sunsets. Just make sure you have a frozen key lime daiquiri within arm’s reach to savor the moment!

Delicious Keys-style dining

The refreshing selection of cool drinks won’t be the only taste bud temptations at Tranquility Bay. One mouthful of Keys-style cuisine expertly created by the hotel’s top culinary team at Butterfly Café, and you’ll taste exactly why TripAdvisor has rated this Marathon’s number one restaurant. Dishes are prepared with the freshest, seasonal ingredients, the ambience is perfectly balanced between sophisticated and relaxed, and the Southern hospitality is always welcoming. Be sure not to forget to sample the unrivaled Key Lime Pie. Lunch, snacks and delicious cocktails are also served daily at our beachfront TJ’s Tiki Bar.

Relaxation or fun-packed action

There is no end to the number of ways to maximize your days on vacation at Tranquility Bay Resort. Onsite you can practice your golf skills on the Nicklaus-designed putting green before dipping into one of three swimming pools including a large lagoon-style pool. Or you may prefer to cruise through the calm ocean on board your kayak and later dive beneath the surface to explore the underwater safari. There’s deep sea fishing, flat fishing, jet skiing, and parasailing, all available to enjoy at your leisure while making sure you allow plenty of time to relax on our private beach with a good book and tropical cocktail from TJ’s Tiki Bar.

It’s hard to imagine stepping beyond this exquisite oasis of calm, but when you do there is plenty to keep families entertained in Marathon with wildlife attractions and museums.

Call 855-606-4502 to speak with an onsite vacation planner or book online.

After decades of working hard throughout your career and around the home, there has never been a better time than now to unwind, indulge and take time out in a tropical haven of calm and ease. Make the most of your senior years with a Florida Keys vacation to relax in style. The peace and serenity that surrounds Tranquility Bay Resort will send you on a journey into paradise, while the local attractions, fishing heritage and sleepy seaside lifestyle in Marathon all add a great sense of charm and character to your days on this beautiful island.

Switch off and cool down

Taking time out to relax is just as important as filling your days with activities and tours around the island. At Tranquility Bay Resort, it is hard not to relax. Our comfortable and spacious beach houses are ideal for groups of seniors with two and three-bedroom options. Please note that all beach houses have one flight of stairs. Or if it’s just you and a friend or loved one, try our single-level Tropical Garden Guestrooms. Make sure to ask for a ground floor guestroom if anyone in your party has mobility issues. All of our accommodations offer the ultimate in comfort and style, helping you to start and end each day feeling calm and at ease.

As you wander through the twelve acres of lush landscaping of our beautiful gardens, you will be filled with a sense of serenity which continues as you make your way to our private beach, sparkling pools or to recharge at our beachside TJ’s Tiki Bar. Spend the afternoon honing your short game on our putting green by Nicklaus Design or let us plan a day of exciting water-based activities, ending with a sunset cruise. And sometimes the best days are spent doing nothing at all while basking in the warm Florida sunshine.

Tempt your taste buds

If it’s fresh fish you fancy, cooked exactly how you like it or Caribbean jerk chicken, you will be in your element at our award-winning Butterfly Cafe at Tranquility Bay Resort. Butterfly Cafe is the number one restaurant in Marathon with a talented team on board working creatively behind the scenes to prepare the very best local cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere.

Discover the island’s natural beauty

There is natural beauty to admire around every corner in Marathon and the island offers so many different ways to see it. To discover the ocean’s natural wonders, pick up a snorkel, mask and pair of flippers and explore the underwater world right on your doorstep at Tranquility Bay Resort’s private beach. You can also book a variety of tours through our helpful concierge service, including sunset cruises, sailing, fishing and kayaking. If you’d rather stay on dry land, take a trip to Crane Point Museum, Nature Center & Historic Site where you can hike through an impressively preserved tropical hardwood grove before visiting the home of an early 20th-century settler family. New to the Florida Keys is Aquarium Encounters, offering unique encounters with Florida Keys sea life.

Take a dip with dolphins

With a reputation for having a therapeutic effect on humans, an encounter with dolphins is one of life’s greatest experiences. In Marathon, you can get up close to these beautiful, well-tempered creatures and learn about their behavior and natural habitat at the Dolphin Research Center.

For the creative-minded

If you fancy channeling your creativity while on vacation, you can find your outlet at The Art Studio located at 12535 Overseas Highway, MM 53.6 oceanside. The workshop offers lessons in how to paint in oil, watercolors and acrylic, as well as sculpting and pottery so you can take away a special souvenir of your time in Marathon.

For inspiration and advice on making the most of your stay in Marathon, Florida, our welcoming staff are on hand to help you find the best activities to suit your style so all you need to focus on is taking it easy and soaking up the spectacular Florida sunshine.

Call 855-606-4502 to speak with an onsite vacation planner at Tranquility Bay Resort or book online.

A progressive new paddleboard program has launched in the Florida Keys. Serenity Eco Therapy provides mental balance through natural balance to visitors seeking health, longevity and enlightenment.

Owner and operator Sarah Sullivan combines meditation, yoga, Pilates, cardio and paddleboards to provide visitors with a therapeutic water experience. Daily classes are held on the Atlantic Ocean waters, just a short drive from Tranquility Bay Resort at Bahia Honda State Park.

Sullivan holds degrees in psychology and environmental studies, and has worked as a rehabilitative mental health counselor in the Keys for the last several years.

Silver Airways is enhancing its flight schedule from five Florida cities.

Beginning Nov. 6, Silver is adding an additional weekday flight from Fort Lauderdale for a total of four daily flights. In addition, a second flight from Fort Myers; more flights from Tampa for a total of four daily flights and increases from Orlando for a total of three nonstop and two one-stop daily direct flights.

And Silver is introducing a daily one-stop flight from Jacksonville.

Silver is a codeshare partner with United Airlines and has interline agreements with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, Bahamasair, Hahn Air, and All Nippon Airways.

In addition, according to Monroe County Airports Director Peter Horton, Delta Airlines is adding two daily flights between Key West and Atlanta Dec. 20, for a total of five daily nonstop flights. And, on Dec. 27, Delta is to resume a seasonal Saturday weekly nonstop route between the Southernmost City and New York City’s LaGuardia Airport.

New Year’s Day celebrations in the Florida Keys are by no means ordinary, particularly when you’re surrounded by the luxury, peace and seclusion of your tropical hideaway. This year you can celebrate in style on New Year’s Day with a beachside BBQ at TJ’s Tiki Bar surrounded by friends and family.

From the moment you wake up on New Year’s Day, you can relax poolside to reserve your energy for the rest of the day. Then from 12pm on January 1st, the party begins with celebrations on Tranquility Bay’s private 2.5 acre white sand beach. A BBQ buffet will be laid out all afternoon until 6pm at TJ’s Tiki Bar, with plenty of hot dogs, burgers, tropical salads and tempting seafood sizzling away. Tiki bar staff will also shake up and stir a selection of ice cold cocktails to help you celebrate the New Year. The BBQ buffet is $30.00 per person and $15.00 for children 10 and under.

Our beach is the perfect spot for daytime celebrations with its calm, sparkling ocean, pristine sand, variety of watersports and the perfect spot for relaxation. With the sub-tropical heat of the Floridian sunshine beaming down all afternoon, you’ll feel a million miles away from the cold winds, howling back home.

If you’re seeking fun on New Year’s Eve, there are a number of popular bars in Marathon with live music to add to the party atmosphere. Popular venues include Dockside Tropical Café on Sombrero Boulevard and the Tarpon Creek Bar and Grill (13205 Overseas Highway). Make sure to try Sunset Grille as well!

Should you wish to party into the early hours or relax just after midnight, you can guarantee a peaceful night’s rest and much-needed leisurely wake-up in your luxury guestroom or suite at Tranquility Bay. We wish you a happy and healthy 2015!

Celtic music lovers will be in their element at the annual Florida Keys Celtic Festival, taking place in Marathon in the new year. The two-day event on Friday and Saturday (January 9 through 10), will bring together America’s best collection of Celtic musical masters including international super group Rathkeltair, The Screaming Orphans and West of Galway. Book your stay at Tranquility Bay Resort before rooms sell out. Call 877-582-6970 today.

The weekend festival kicks off with Irish music by Bernie and Stephen from the West of Galway band, on Thursday January 8 at Marathon Grill and Ale House (Mile Marker 53) from 8pm. The party will continue into Friday through Saturday with live performances, bagpipes and drums, and men’s and women’s Scottish Highland athletics demonstrations. There will also be plenty of Celtic merchandise, food and drink, and children’s activities.

Festival details

The party takes place at the Marathon Community Park (Mile Marker 49) on Friday January 9 (3pm – 10pm) and Saturday January 10 (9am – 9pm). Tickets can be purchased online at www.celticheritageproductions.com/keys Children age 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.